News
HKS Holdings acquires Brobot Group
The family-owned group has acquired 30 filling stations in three months, taking its total number of sites to just under 60. Following the addition of 23 Brobot sites, the company now stretches from Yorkshire to Surrey; HKS expects annualised turnover to reach £250m, representing growth of over 150%.
Brobot was founded by John Bootle in 1978 with a single site at Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray and expanded through acquisitions over the years. John Bootle died tragically early in 1996, following which Brobot continued its successful growth under the chairmanship of his wife, Pat Bootle and her dedicated executive directors, Bridget Smith and Eddie Bright; the latter said the sale was ‘a great fit’ and he wished HKS ‘every success.’
Earlier this year HKS was in 10th position in Forecourt Trader’s Top 50 Indies with Brobot in 11th place; recent acquisitions would now put HKS in 5th position.
“We’re delighted at the addition of the new locations,” said Shane Thakrar, chief executive at HKS Holdings.
“We’d like to extend our thanks to the Bootle family, Eddie Bright and Bridget Smith from Brobot for trusting us with the acquisition and taking these sites forward in the future. We look forward to welcoming the new members of our team on board to work alongside our existing committed team of individuals.”
HKS, which took the business of the year title at the Midlands Asian business awards, has recently signed a deal with SPAR to brand the majority of its forecourt retail units – Brobot is predominantly Londis – as well as concluding deals with Subway and Costa.
www.hksretail.co.uk
www.brobot.co.uk
www.brobotfuels.co.uk